An interview with Jeremy Scott, plus every single item from tomorrow's Moschino [tv] H&M launch

Jeremy Scott is a designer who needs no introduction (if he does, you've clearly been living under a very unfashionable rock, and should watch Vlad Yudin's excellent Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer ASAP). Comfortably reigning as the rag trade's king of pop culture and camp, the Moschino creative director is poised to reach new levels of notoriety with the Moschino [tv] H&M collection. Ahead of its launch in Singapore, we grilled Scott about his rabid fanbase, his favourite pieces from the collection and the power of living your boldest, best life.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a designer?I've wanted to be a designer since I was a child. I grew up on a farm in middle America. For me, fashion was the way I could express myself to the world. It was like my armour, and I was full-on in my looks. I knew I wanted to go to Paris, start a label, have my own catwalk show, take a bow at the end of the runway, and I've made all of my dreams come true.

Bold, fearless, loud... those are the adjectives common in the description of your clothing. How did you arrive at this aesthetic?Fashion is just a reflection of who I am. I can only do me, and I know that when I speak from the heart, that's when I truly connect with my fans all around the world. I guess I'm like I sponge,soaking up all these different influences that over time have mixed together to create my aesthetic.

Agree or disagree: A bold life is a better life. Why or why not?A bold life is the best life! No-one should hide their feelings from the world.

How did the collaboration with H&M come about?For me it's all about the fans. Everything I do is for them, and this collaboration is all about fashion that's democratic and affordable for fans across the planet. H&M are such great collaborators because they wanted the most real MOSCHINO they could get. There's no compromise, there's no watering down, it's the real deal, and it's been so much fun to create.

Is this collaboration with H&M particularly significant for you professionally? How so?MOSCHINO [tv] H&M means so much to me, because I'm the People's Designer. Everything I do is for the fans, and it makes me so happy that, through this collaboration, more of my fans will be able to wear my clothes and my designs. The wonderful thing about this collaboration is the ability to take my voice and to translate it to H&M's price point, and to have it be accessible to so many more people around the world without having to dial down the designs. As a designer, to me it's the ultimate compliment that people love and wear my work.

Tell us about the collection. Which are your must-haves?That is the most impossible question because they are all like my babies! I'm in love with them all, from the cropped padded jacket that's just so much fun, to the Disney pieces because I love Mickey so much, to the black leather dress that's total Italian glamour, and the fake fur that's punctured with chains is such a fierce statement. I literally cannot pick just one.

Did you begin with a specific inspiration, a reference point? Was there a picture in your mind when you first put pen to paper? Describe your design process.For MOSCHINO [tv] H&M I wanted to give the fans the realest MOSCHINO collection they could get, with all of the MOSCHINO elements that they love and need. There's a touch of vintage MOSCHINO given a new twist, then there's the energy of the street, the Italian glamour, a sense of humour and then some pure pop culture too. It's 100% MOSCHINO, like an extra capsule collection for the season.

You work a lot with celebrities. Do you feel a certain affinity with them?I guess one of the common denominators is that I saw their potential from the beginning. I took a chance on them before others, when other houses wouldn't lend them any clothes. I love their energy and their creativity and it's just something that I connect with. It's totally genuine, and not a Hollywood thing. You never see me out being photographed. I'm at their house, or in their hotel room. They're people I have a wonderful friendship with and a true connection.

If you could collaborate with anyone after H&M, who would it be?I love to collaborate! It's something that I've always loved to do. I am very strong-willed but I also love to collaborate with others to create something new.

What was the first piece of item you designed/made? What do you think now when you look at it?The first item I ever designed was a jacket I made out of Japanese newspapers that I scotch-taped together.

What do you think will be the last piece of clothing/item you ever design?The final piece I'll ever design will be my spacesuit, ready for when I'm ready to jet off to infinity and beyond!

Your clothes are all statement pieces. What kind of statement do you want to make with Jeremy Scott x H&M?I love that MOSCHINO [tv] H&M is so democratic. I'm the People's Designer, and I believe fashion should be accessible to the people. I'm thrilled to do this collaboration because I want people to have it. I've seen the effect when you make fashion not just accessible but also affordable. It makes me so happy when I see my designs being worn by people on the street,and I cannot wait for this collection to reach the fans all around the world.

Many people would say it's an important time in the world to be making statements right now. Do you believe in making your passions and beliefs known through fashion?For me fashion is about joy and pleasure and expressing who you really are. I always want to elevate what I wear because I'm a freak and I love everyday to have fashion show moments. I want what I'm wearing to say everything about who I am and I want people to know it.

Moschino [tv] H&M will be available from November 8 at H&M's Orchard Building and ION Orchard stores, as well as online.